Adrian's Rejected Luna

Cards Never Lie

Nianell’s POV

I turned my head toward the faint whisper, my eyes falling on the tarot deck sitting on my bedside table. It was beautiful hand painted by my grandmother, who gave it to me when I was young. She’d known my gift for divination before I did. That deck was my most prized possession, my greatest tool.

"Let us help you," the whisper came again, soft but clear.

I smiled, hoping the cards would confirm my wild plan wasn’t a total disaster waiting to happen. Quickly, I shuffled the deck, drew three cards, and laid them out on the bed. The four of wands, the moon, and the hierophant. My gaze locked on the moon card. Hidden enemies. No doubt, it pointed to the psycho who’d chased me through the park the mate I didn’t want. The four of wands promised success, and the other card spoke of alliances.

"Perfect."

Gathering my cards, I dressed quickly, then rushed downstairs to the kitchen. Liam was by the stove, munching on an apple and going on and on about his latest adventures. Mom was pretending to listen, nodding along while stirring something on the counter. But the moment I saw Adrian, the rest of the room blurred.

He leaned against the counter, his broad shoulders relaxed. His piercing gray eyes met mine, and his lips curved into that smug smile of his, the one that made my stomach flutter, just like it always had since Liam first brought him home.

I shook off the butterflies, forcing myself to focus. This wasn’t the time to lose my nerve. I walked straight up to Adrian and leaned toward him.

“Can I talk to you? Alone?” I asked, jerking my chin toward the front porch.

“What do you need to talk to him about?” Liam asked, suddenly way too interested in my business.

“What part of "private"don’t you get?” I shot back, putting my hands on my hips.

Adrian laughed clearly amused. “I’ll talk to her,” he said, brushing a hand through his chestnut hair. My eyes flicked to the way his bicep flexed, and I quickly looked away, heat creeping up my neck.

He followed me to the porch, and I closed the door behind us. The last thing I needed was Mom or Liam butting in. Adrian leaned against a column, arms crossed, looking as relaxed as ever.

“So,” he asked, “what’s this about?”

I took a deep breath and blurted it out before I could second-guess myself. “I want you to pretend to be my fiancé.”

Adrian’s eyebrows shot up. He didn’t say anything for a moment, just stared at me like I’d lost my mind.

“You want me to what?”

“Just until I can figure out how to break the mate bond,” I rushed to explain. “I had a vision. My mate, he’s a creep. He chased me through the park last night. I can’t do it, Adrian. I know everyone says the mate bond is sacred or whatever, but they’re wrong this time. He’s wrong.”

Adrian’s expression darkened, his smirk disappearing. His brows furrowed, and his jaw tightened. “Someone chased you last night?” he growled, the low sound vibrating through his chest.

“Yes,” I said, my voice soft, watching as his gray eyes flashed with anger. “But I lost him. I hid my scent, so he won’t find me right away. But if he really is my mate…” I trailed off, swallowing hard. “He’ll track me eventually. That’s how it works, right? But he can’t claim me if I’m already someone else’s mate.”

Adrian didn’t respond right away. He stared past me, his gaze focused on something in the distance. I held my breath, waiting for him to shut me down, to say no.

But then his eyes met mine again.

“I’ll do it,” he said, his voice steady.

Relief flooded me. “Really? Thank you! Whatever it takes, I’ll do it.”

“There’s one condition,” he said, cutting me off.

“Anything,” I agreed without hesitation.

“If we’re doing this, we’re doing it right,” he said firmly. “You’ll move into the packhouse with me.”

I blinked at him, my jaw dropping. “What?”

“You heard me,” he said, crossing his arms again. “If I’m pretending to be your fiancé, you’re living under my roof. End of story.”

My stomach flipped at the idea. I hadn’t expected that, but… I couldn’t say no. It made sense, and honestly, it might even be nice to get out from under Mom and Dad’s roof for a while.

I nodded quickly, holding my hand out to seal the deal. “Deal.”

Adrian shook my hand, his strong grip sending a jolt through me.

This might actually work.

Adrian’s POV

“Deal,” I said, taking her hand and giving it a solid shake. My lips twitched as Nianell rocked forward slightly, then straightened herself quickly, clearing her throat like nothing had happened. She smiled up at me, looking like she’d just won the lottery.

I wasn’t surprised she was shocked that I’d agreed so easily. Werewolves and witches didn’t mix. Too much history, too many grudges. Some believed werewolves came from a curse magic punishment passed down for centuries. That story had caused distrust, even hate, between our kinds.

Not all werewolves were cursed, though. Some, like my pack’s Alpha, had been bitten and turned. Others, like me, were born wolves. It didn’t matter how you became one; a bitten wolf could rise to Alpha, and a born wolf could end up at the bottom of the pack.

But the mistrust of witches? That ran deep. It made my friendship with Liam, Nianell’s brother, unusual. His family had welcomed me like one of their own. And Nianell? I’d known her since she was twenty, back when Liam brought me home from Pacific Academy for a break. At the time, she was just my best friend’s younger sister, loud, stubborn, and always getting in the way.

But when I came back two years later for her birthday, everything changed.

I hadn’t seen her in a while, and the moment I stepped into their house, her scent hit me—sweet, warm, and unmistakable. My wolf knew before I did. Then I saw her. She’d grown into herself. Her purple-streaked hair flipped around her face as she argued with her mom about getting another nose piercing. Three total now—two hoops and a ring in her middle nose area. She looked wild and beautiful.

She was mine.

It took everything I had not to claim her right then and there. But she wasn’t ready. She didn’t even know. I’d scare her if I acted on it. And honestly, I was tempted to. A witch and a werewolf? A future Alpha and a witch from a powerful bloodline? It wasn’t supposed to happen. We were supposed to mate with our own kind.

Still, even without claiming her, I stayed close. I made sure no one messed with her. I scared off any guy who got too interested. I protected her, day and night except for last night.

The thought made my jaw clench. She’d been chased, hunted, while I was at the packhouse for some stupid ceremony. I’d officially been named next in line to be Alpha. It was all for show; everyone already knew. If I’d known she was in danger, I would’ve skipped the whole thing.

I gritted my teeth, fighting the growl rising in my throat. Some wolf, some bastard had chased my mate through the cliffs, and I wasn’t there to stop it.

“So, when should I move in?” Nianell asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. Her voice was calm, but her eyes showed the edge of fear she was trying to hide. “My premonition has me on edge, and the cards said a hidden enemy is here. So, sooner is probably better.”

“Tonight,” I said firmly, heading toward the door to tell her family.

“Wait! Hold on!” she called, hurrying after me. “I said soon, but I need time to tell Mom and pack my stuff!”

“Don’t worry, darling,” I told her with a grin as I opened the door. “I’ll take care of it.”

“Take care of what?” Liam asked, scowling from where he leaned against the kitchen table, still munching on an apple.

I threw my arm around Nianell’s shoulders and smirked at him before turning to her mom, Mrs. Santos. I gave her the charming smile I knew always worked.

“Nianell and I mate bond snapped into place!” I announced proudly.

“Oh, thank Goodness!” Mrs. Santos shouted, throwing her hands in the air. “My prayers have been answered!”

Nianell stared at her mom, completely stunned. Liam glared at me, narrowing his eyes like he was trying to decide if I was joking.

“I’m going to move her to the packhouse tonight,” I continued, my tone all business. “I’m sorry to take her so quickly, Mrs. Santos, but pack law says mates must live together.”

“No, no, I understand!” Mrs. Santos said with a big smile. “I’ll start packing her things just the important stuff first. You can come back later for the rest.” She paused, then rushed forward to hug both Nianell and me. “Welcome to the family, officially!”

I tightened my arm around Nianell as she stood frozen, clearly trying to process everything.

This might have been her plan, but it was playing out exactly how I wanted it to